Association of Maternal Use of Benzodiazepines and Z-Hypnotics During Pregnancy With Motor and Communication Skills and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Preschoolers

Key Points Question Is the association of prenatal benzodiazepine/z-hypnotic exposure with child developmental risks different according to timing of exposure, duration, or coexposure to opioids or antidepressants? Findings Among 41 146 pregnancy-child dyads in this cohort study, a moderate association between benzodiazepine/z-hypnotic exposure in late pregnancy and greater gross motor and communication deficits in children born to women with depressive/anxiety disorders were observed, but not to the extent that the impairment was of clinical relevance. There was no evidence for duration or coexposure associations on all outcomes. Meaning These findings show no clinically relevant detrimental risk of prenatal benzodiazepine/z-hypnotic exposure on motor, communication, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder outcomes in preschoolers.